The Greater Atlantic City Chamber hosted its annual John G. FitzPatrick Community Leadership Award program at Seaview Hotel & Golf Club on Wednesday. The D'Amato Family, headed by Paul & Sandi was recognized as The Community Leader of the Year with hundreds of people in attendance.

The Chamber has annually recognized the most dynamic and influential individuals in our community since the mid-1960's. A selection committee composed of past recipients selects the honorees. "The D'Amato Family is a leader in both business and in service to our community. They are all richly deserving of this honor." said Mitch Zitomer, Chairman of the Board.

Philanthropy has always been very important to the whole D'Amato Family. Through the years they have individually donated of their time and money to many important causes throughout Atlantic County and beyond, too many to individually list. One that has become part of their hearts is "Massi's Mission" - named after Alexa and Alex's 6 year old son Massimo who is on the autism spectrum. Statistics indicate that more than 90% of children with autism who die under the age of 14 are drawn to water and drown. Massi's Mission and Faces for Autism offer two locations in our area, the Katz JCC in Margate and Bright Stars Swim Academy in EHT that will teach children with autism how to survive in the water. Massi's Mission provides scholarships to those families in need.

Presenting sponsors for the program were Cooper Levenson Attorneys at Law, Glenn Insurance and Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky PC. Reception sponsors are Fulton Bank, South Jersey Industries and Tropicana Casino and Resort.

About the D'Amato Family

Paul D'Amato was born and raised in the Atlantic City area. He met Sandi in college and they were married in 1970. After law school they moved back to this area to raise their children. Paul was partner at the firm of Hankin and D'Amato before he ventured out to open his own law firm, The D'Amato Law Firm, in 1987. He is a former Mayor of Linwood and proud to have represented his constituents as Assemblyman. Paul and Sandi are most proud of all their daughters who followed their father's passion for the legal system and graduated law school.

Two of their daughters, Alexa and Ava, have returned to raise their families here with their husbands, Alex Barrera and Steve Cocchi - also native to Atlantic County. Alexa is a partner of the firm, married to Alex, partner at the law firm of Perskie, Mairone, Brog & Baylinson. Ava is married to Steve Cocchi, Vice-President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs at South Jersey Gas. Ashley is married to Chad Staller, Senior Economist and President of The Center for Forensic Economic Studies.

Philanthropy has always been very important to the whole D'Amato Family. Through the years they have individually donated of their time and money to many important causes throughout Atlantic County and beyond, too many to individually list. One that has become part of their hearts is "Massi's Mission" - named after Alexa and Alex's 6 year old son Massimo who is on the autism spectrum. Statistics indicate that more than 90% of children with autism who die under the age of 14 are drawn to water and drown. Massi's Mission and Faces for Autism offer two locations in our area, the Katz JCC in Margate and Bright Stars Swim Academy in EHT that will teach children with autism how to survive in the water. Massi's Mission provides scholarships to those families in need.

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